High Performance Electric Generators Boosted by Nuclear Electron Avalanche (NEA)

ABSTRACT

Various aspects include electric generators configured to boost electrical output by leveraging electron avalanche generated by a high energy photon radiation source. In various aspects, an electric generator includes a stator and a rotor positioned within the stator, wherein the stator and rotor are configured to generate electric current when the rotor is rotated, and a high energy photon source (e.g., a gamma ray source) positioned and configured to irradiate at least a portion of conductors in the rotor or stator. In some aspects, the stator generates a magnetic field when the electric generator is operating, and the rotor includes armature windings configured to generate electric current when the rotor is rotated. In some aspects, the high energy photon source includes cobalt-60 and/or cesium-137.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/643,303, titled “High Performance Electric GeneratorsBoosted by Nuclear Electron Avalanche (NEA)”, filed Mar. 15, 2018, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The invention described herein was made in the performance of work undera NASA contract and by employees of the United States Government and issubject to the provisions of Public Law 96-517 (35 U.S.C. § 202) and maybe manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmentalpurposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefore. Inaccordance with 35 U.S.C. § 202, the contractor elected not to retaintitle.

FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure are related to electric generators,and more particularly to electric generators boosted by electronavalanche.

BACKGROUND

Inside conventional electric generators, conductors (i.e., wires) in therotor coils crossing the magnetic field have mobile electrons. Themaximum available number of mobile electrons per atom are intrinsicallythe same as the number of electrons in the outer-most (valence) shell ofan atom. Therefore, the conventional electric generators use the maximumlevel of mobile electrons per atom for power generation ({right arrowover (J)}={right arrow over (F)}×{right arrow over (H)}).

Since conventional generators use free electrons mostly out of orstaying on the valence (or the outer-most) shell of atom for powergeneration, enhancement of power output is related only to magneticfield strength and design considerations such as number of coil turnsand the rotational speed and force of the rotor.

SUMMARY

Various aspects include electric generators configured to boostelectrical output by leveraging electron avalanche generated by a highenergy photon radiation source. In various aspects, an electricgenerator includes a stator and a rotor positioned within the stator,wherein the stator and rotor are configured to generate electric currentwhen the rotor is rotated, and a high energy photon source (e.g., agamma ray source) positioned and configured to irradiate at least aportion of conductors in the rotor or stator. In some aspects, thestator generates a magnetic field when the electric generator isoperating, and the rotor includes armature windings configured togenerate electric current when the rotor is rotated. In some aspects,the high energy photon source includes cobalt-60 and/or cesium-137.

In some aspects, the high energy photon source is positioned within therotor and configured to irradiate at least the armature windings. Insome aspects, the high energy photon source is configured as a sleevethat fits within the rotor inside of the armature windings.

In some aspects, the high energy photon source is positioned between therotor and the stator and configured to irradiate the armature windings.In some aspects, the high energy photon source is configured as a sleevethat fits between the rotor and the stator.

In some aspects, the stator includes field and compensating windings,and the high energy photon source is positioned and configured toirradiate the field and compensating windings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the general description given above and thedetailed description given below, serve to explain the features of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a notional diagram of electron avalanche processes caused byvisible/ultraviolet light, X-ray and gamma ray (γ-ray) photons.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how photoexcitation and thermalizationprocesses initiated by gamma-ray and beta particles from radioactivematerials can increase the conduction band population, creating a largeavalanche electron current.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating motion of electrons in a movingconductor in a magnetic field in a conventional electric generator.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating motion of avalanche electrons in amoving conductor cutting across a magnetic field.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional electric generator.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an electric generator according toan embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an electric generator according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of cylindrical gamma ray source forinclusion in an electric generator according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an illustrating of a stator portion of an electric generatorincluding a cylindrical gamma ray source according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.References made to particular examples and implementations are forillustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention or the claims.

It will also be understood that, as used herein, the terms “the,” “a,”or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one”unless explicitly indicated to the contrary.

Conventional electric generators generate electrical current by rotatinga rotor having several coils of conductors (e.g., copper wires) througha magnetic field generated by a stator. Conduction electrons (i.e.,electrons in the valence shell of conductor atoms) are motivated by themotion through the magnetic field to move through the conductors byinteractions with the magnetic field according to the well know law of{right arrow over (J)}={right arrow over (F)}×{right arrow over (H)},where {right arrow over (J)} is the electric current vector, {rightarrow over (F)} is the force vector due to motion of the conductors, and{right arrow over (H)} is the magnetic field vector. The maximumavailable number of mobile (or conduction) electrons per atom areintrinsically the same as the number of electrons in the valence (or theouter-most occupied) shell of the conductor atoms (e.g., two electronsin copper). Conventional electric generators use these mobile electronsfor power generation. Current electric generators are built with severaldifferent designs to increase power output by increasing the number ofcoils intersecting the magnetic field. However, optimized designs do notalter the physics of the generator, but only optimize field generationand coil windings. As a result, the power output of conventionalelectric generators is related only to magnetic field strength anddesign considerations, such as number of coil turns and the rotationalspeed and force of the rotor.

Ordinarily, electric generators use free electrons in the outer-mostoccupied (valence) shell of the atoms in the conducting wire. The numberof free electrons available for power generation is 2 or 3 per atom formost conductors. For example, copper has 2 mobile electrons per atom inthe conduction band. Electrons in normally unfilled atomic states havemuch more freedom for bound-to-free and free-to-free transitions.However, within the atomic structure, there are a lot more electrons inthe inner (intra-band) atomic shells which require a lot more energy torelease them to be free.

Various embodiments leverage the physics of ionizing radiation toproduce additional mobile electrons from the intra-bands for morecurrent generation, thereby boosting the electric current generated fora given number of coil turns and rotation speed and force of the rotor.By making intra-band electrons mobile and thus available for motivationthrough a power circuit driven by {right arrow over (J)}={right arrowover (F)}×{right arrow over (H)}, the increase in the number ofavailable electrons increases power output for a given design androtation rate. Liberating intra-band electrons requires a certain amountof energy, which in various embodiments is provided by gamma raysirradiating conductor atoms.

In conventional electric generators, electrons with available unfilledstates of outer-most shell can be freely mobilized by the Lorenz forcecaused by moving a conductor through a magnetic field, mathematicallyrepresented by {right arrow over (F)}×{right arrow over (H)}. Ifintra-band electrons are liberated from their bound states intoconduction states through bound-to-free and free-to-free transitions,more mobile electrons can be made available for generating an electriccurrent in this manner The energy required to liberate electrons inintra-bands is in the range of several keV or higher. This amount ofenergy can be readily provided by high energy photons, such as X-ray orγ-rays. This form of radiation carries sufficient photon energy topenetrate through and liberate inner bound electrons within conductoratoms.

By increasing the number of mobile electrons in this manner, the poweroutput of an electric generator can be enhanced by several times itsoriginal amount or even by orders of magnitude for a given rotorconfiguration (e.g., number of coils) and rotation speed and force.Increasing the power output of the electric generator in this mannerwill require increased mechanical force applied to the rotor to rotate,but the ability to generate more power from a given sized electricgenerator may have advantages, such as in applications in which the sizeand weight of the generator is constrained.

Due to their high energies, coupling interactions of γ-ray photons withatomic structure are violent, liberating electrons from the intra-bandsand inducing unstable nuclear resonant modes. FIG. 1 is an illustrationshowing how electrons can be liberated through bound-to-free transitionaccording to the incident photon energy. As illustrated, visible andultraviolet (UV) light photons interact with outer-most unoccupied (orvalence) shell electrons. X-ray photons can penetrate deeper into theatomic shell structure and interact with intra-band electrons causingsuch electrons to be ejected or transitioned to lower energy shellsincluding the conduction band. γ-ray photons interact with intra-bandelectrons imparting greater energy to electrons that are ejected fromthe atom.

FIG. 1 shows a simple interaction model of visible through vacuum UVphotons 103, X-ray photons 105, and γ-ray photons 107 with atomicelectrons. The number of electrons in each shell is given in box 109.The visible through vacuum UV photon 103 carries just enough energy torelease the outer-most shell (or valence band) electrons 102 from abound state to a free state 108 a. An X-ray photon 105 may be strongenough to penetrate into the inner-shells of atom and shake up andrelease intra-band electrons 104 from their bound states to a free state108 b. Extremely strong γ-ray photons 107 can even penetrate and shakeup the nucleus 106 and make all electrons of the atom unstable enough toundergo a bound-to-free transition. After bombardment by gamma rayphotons 107, the electrons in the inner-most shells almostinstantaneously undergo a recombination process through a free-to-boundtransition by releasing equivalent photon energy. This free-to-boundtransition induces spontaneous photon emission with equivalent energy ofthe excited state. These emitted photons from the recombination processinteract with and energizes those electrons which are already inunstable or free states, further releasing more electrons from the otherouter shells of an atom 108 c.

The interaction processes of intra-band electrons 104 within an atomicinter-shell structure described above are generally instantaneous andlocalized within the atomic structure 100. The frequency of interactionsis heavily dependent upon the coupling cross-section of the intra-bandselectrons 104 and the energy and flux density of the X-ray photons 105or γ-ray photons 107. Unless the γ-ray photons 107 continuously bombardthe atomic structure 100, the intra-band electrons 104 recoil andundergo an inter-band recombination process (free-to-bound)approximately within a zepto second (zs≈10⁻²¹ sec) which is inverselyproportional to the intra-band gap energy (Ε˜1/E). The intraband upperlifetime is extremely short due to the large scale of bound energy.However, because of the continuous interaction processes of original, orreemitted, X-ray photons 105 or γ-ray photons 107 with atomic electrons,the avalanche state of a huge number of free electrons 108 a-c (10⁵C/cm³) may be sustained for thermionic processes.

Absorption of a γ-ray photon in a material, such as a conductor atomtypically results in a cascade or avalanche of liberated electronsthrough secondary and tertiary interactions. γ-ray photons interact withmatter via four main processes: the photonuclear (pn) effect, thephotoelectric (pe) effect, Compton scattering (C), and electron/positronpair production (pp). As a γ-ray photon penetrates matter, the energydeposited by absorption is proportional to the absorption cross-section(σ_(t)=σ_(C)+σ_(pe)+σ_(pn)+σ_(pp)) and the atomic weight of matter (Z),and the thickness of material through which the γ-ray photon istraveling.

The photonuclear effect (also called phototransmutation) is a nuclearprocess in which an atomic nucleus absorbs a high-energy gamma ray,enters an excited state, and immediately decays by emitting a subatomicparticle. This phototransmutation can be sustained when the energy ofimpinging γ-ray photons exceeds the binding energy of nucleus. Theincoming gamma ray effectively knocks one or more neutrons, protons, oran alpha particle out of the nucleus. Such transmutations may alsoresult in the emission of γ-ray photons from the transmuted nucleus.Ejected protons, alpha particles and γ-ray photons will interact withconductor atoms to excite and eject electrons as those particles ofradiation are themselves absorbed.

In the photo-electric effect, the energy of the interacting γ-ray photonis absorbed by an electron within one of the atomic shells, which ejectsthe electron from its atom and the photon effectively disappears afterthe interaction. A complete absorption of the γ-ray photon energyimparts significant energy to the electron, ejecting the electron (whichmay be referred to as a photo-electron) from the atom with high kineticenergy. After the ejection of the photo-electron the atom is ionized,but the vacancy in the bound shell is quickly refilled with an electronfrom the surrounding medium or from an upper atom shell. This may leadeither to the emission of one or more characteristic fluorescence X-raysor to the ejection of an electron from one of the outer shells called anAuger electron. Fluorescence X-rays are absorbed in adjoining atoms viathe photoelectric effect, Compton scattering or Rayleigh scattering. Theejected photo-electron interacts with other electrons in the same atomand adjoining atoms through scattering interactions, exciting andejecting those electrons (referred to as secondary electrons), losingenergy with interaction, until the photon-absorbing electron losessufficient energy to be captured in an atom or joining the flow ofelectrons through the conductor. Electrons ejected by scatteringinteractions with the photo-electron (i.e., secondary electrons) aresimilarly slowed down through scattering interactions with otherelectrons, which can result in more ejected electrons (referred to astertiary electrons). Thus, in the photo-electric effect the γ-rayphoton's energy is absorbed by one electron, which then produces a largenumber of excited and ejected electrons as the imparted energy isabsorbed in the conductor. Thus, absorption of a single γ-ray photonresults in a cascade or avalanche of many energized and mobilizedelectrons within the absorbing material.

In Compton scattering, a γ-ray photon that is scattered (i.e., changesdirection without being absorbed) by an electron. As a result, some ofthe γ-ray photon's energy is imparted to the electron as kinetic energy,which can eject the electron from the atom. The γ-ray photon continueson with reduced energy until it interacts with another electron via thephoto-electric effect or Compton scattering. An electron ejected byCompton scattering will likewise slow down through scatteringinteractions with other electrons, thus liberating secondary andtertiary electrons.

In electron/positron pair production, a γ-ray photon with an energyexceeding 1.02 MeV interacting with the electric field of an atom'snucleus is converted to a positron and an electron (referred to as anelectron-positron pair). These particles fly apart with combined kineticenergy equal to the excess of the γ-ray photon above 1.02 MeV, and arethe absorbed through electron scattering (like photo-electrons),generating more secondary and tertiary mobile electrons. The positron isquickly annihilated by colliding with an electron, turning the positronand electron back into a 1.02 MeV γ-ray photon, which can then interactwith matter through the photo-electric effect and Compton scattering.Thus, the electron/positron pair production interaction also produces alarge number of excited and mobilized electrons.

Thus, the interaction of γ-ray photons with intra-band electrons throughany or together with photoelectric, photonuclear, Compton scattering,and pair production processes deposits enough energy to liberate a largenumber of secondary and tertiary electrons. This generation of a largenumber of secondary and tertiary electrons in addition to the primaryelectrons is referred to herein as an avalanche process.

Primary, secondary and tertiary electrons ejected by the absorption of aγ-ray photon lose energy and undergo an inter-band recombination process(free-to-bound) approximately within a zepto second (zs≈10⁻²¹ sec), atime that is inversely proportional to the intra-band gap energy(τ˜1/E). The intra-band upper lifetime is extremely short.

FIG. 2 illustrates all of these processes of absorption of γ-ray photonsby electrons resulting in free electrons ejected from various atomicshells, and the recombination of free electrons into unfilled shells inatoms.

In various embodiments, the coils of the electric generator rotor areexposed to a continuous flux of γ-ray photons, and therefore thecombined interaction processes of γ-ray photons with atomic electronsdescribed above are a continuous process, generating a huge number offree electrons as an avalanche state of electrons mimicking thermionicelectrons. The ejected electrons in an avalanche state also interactwith and thermalized by lower energy gamma photons resulting fromCompton scattering and pair production. Such a thermalization process ofelectrons increases the kinetic energy of free electrons, which in turnslows down the recombination (free-to-bound) process shown in FIG. 2.

The radiation-enhanced thermalized avalanche electrons can be estimatedby considering the flux of photo-excited and thermalized electrons thathave sufficient energy to run randomly within the domain of a conductor.The flux of electrons is the collection of electrons freed up from thedeep level and intra-band photo excitations by a MeV level γ-ray photon.The electron population in the conductor is distributed by thequasi-Fermi level in the aftermath of the level transitions from thedeep and intra-bands impacted by high energy γ-ray photon fluxes. FIG. 2illustrates the deep and intra-band level transitions. The electronsfreed from the deep and intra-bands, ΣE_(i), are simultaneouslypopulated above the level of the conduction band minimum, E_(C), andgain further energy through thermalization and photoexcitationprocesses. For the purposes of this estimation, in a conductor,E_(C)≈E_(F).

Using the non-degenerate conductor model, the Fermi energy of a numberof electrons is expressed in equation (1) by:

E _(F,n) =E _(F)Σ_(i) E _(i) ⇄κT _(C) Σ_(i) ln(n _(i) /n _(eq))   (1)

In equation (1), E_(F) is the Fermi level, E_(i) is the Fermi level ofintra-band, n_(i) is the total freed-up electron concentration from anintra-band, n_(eq) is the equilibrium concentration withoutphotoexcitation, and T_(C) is the conductor temperature. From the aboveexpression, the γ-ray photoexcitation contribution is represented in theΣE_(i), where the electron concentration is multiplied throughbound-to-free and free-to-free transitions within a conductor. The thirdterm of Eq. (1) indicates the thermalized electrons in the free-to-freetransition state.

Suppose that the freed-up electrons are populated within a conductor.The total current density can be estimated by equation 2.

$\begin{matrix}{J_{C} = {{\sum_{i}\left( {\int_{E_{C} + \chi}^{\infty}{{ev}_{ix}{N\left( E_{i} \right)}{f\left( E_{i} \right)}{dE}_{i}}} \right)} = {\sum_{i}\left\lbrack {\int_{E_{C} + \chi}^{\infty}{{{ev}_{ix}\left( \frac{4{\pi \left( {2m^{*}} \right)}^{\frac{3}{2}}}{h^{3}} \right)}{\sqrt{E_{i} - E_{C}} \cdot {\exp \left( \frac{{- E_{i}} + E_{F,n}}{\kappa \; T_{C}} \right)}}{dE}_{i}}} \right\rbrack}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

In equation 2, E_(C)≈E_(F), χ is the electron affinity, e is theelectron charge, v_(ix) is the electron velocity within the conductingmaterial, N(E_(i)) is the density of i states, f(E_(i)) is the Fermidistribution, m* is the effective mass, and i=F, I, M, . . . (i.e.intra-bands). The expression on the right hand side of equation (2a)assumes that the density of states is parabolic and approximates theFermi function by the Boltzmann distribution because the work functionis much larger than κT_(C).

$\begin{matrix}{J_{C} = {{\sum_{i}\left( {\int_{E_{C} + \chi}^{\infty}{{ev}_{ix}{N\left( E_{i} \right)}{f\left( E_{i} \right)}{dE}_{i}}} \right)} = {\sum_{i}\left\lbrack {\int_{E_{C} + \chi}^{\infty}{{{ev}_{ix}\left( \frac{4{\pi \left( {2m^{*}} \right)}^{\frac{3}{2}}}{h^{3}} \right)}{\sqrt{E_{i} - E_{C}} \cdot {\exp \left( \frac{{- E_{i}} + E_{C} - E_{C} + E_{F,n}}{\kappa \; T_{C}} \right)}}{dE}_{i}}} \right\rbrack}}} & \left( {2a} \right)\end{matrix}$

Suppose that the effective mass is isotropic. Then under both thethermalization and the photoexcitation processes of electrons, electronsgain degrees of freedom isotropically, such as ΣE_(i)−E_(C)=Σ(m*v_(i)²/2), where v_(i) ²=v_(ix) ²=v_(iy) ²=v_(iz) ². The integral can berewritten in terms of electron velocities as:

$\begin{matrix}{J_{C} = {2{e\left( \frac{m^{*}}{h} \right)}^{3}{{\exp \left\lbrack \frac{- \left( {E_{C} - E_{F,n}} \right)}{k\; T_{\; c}} \right\rbrack} \cdot {\sum_{i}\left\{ {\int_{0}^{\infty}{{dv}_{iy}{\int_{0}^{\infty}{{dv}_{iz}{\int_{0}^{\infty}{{dv}_{ix}{v_{ix} \cdot {\exp \left( \frac{m^{*}v_{i}^{2}}{2{kT}_{C}} \right)}}}}}}}} \right\}}}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

The excitation and thermalization processes of electrons requiresubstantial energy, more than the bandgap energy (E_(gI) . . . E_(gM))for deep level transitions. The incident γ-rays or high energy α and βparticles (e.g., from photonuclear absorption) increase the electronpopulation by both thermalization and photon-coupling above theconduction band minimum. These photo-excited and thermalized electronpopulations are effectively freed up to undergo a free-to-freetransition away from band-gap structures (E_(g), E_(gI) . . . E_(gM)) ofmaterials and exist in a conductor domain as free electrons. Therefore,the potential gap of electron population is further increased beyond theelectron recombination.

The energies for level transitions can be expressed by the summation ofbound-to-free (E_(C)) and free-to-free transitions (χ), such as E_(C)+χwhich is equal to E_(F)+ϕ_(A) for valence band, E_(I)+ϕ_(I)=E_(C)+χ(Intra-band), and E_(M)+ϕ_(M)=E_(C)+χ (Intra-band). Within the bandgapstructures, E_(C) can be expressed with the bandgap energy (E_(g)) ontop of the Fermi energy at valence band and the Fermi energies (E_(gI) .. . E_(gM)) for intra-bands. Since the conduction-band minimum (E_(C))is within the free-to-free transition regime, E_(C)≥E_(I)+E_(gI) andE_(C)≥E_(M)+E_(gM) for the intra-bands. Therefore, the work functions(Σϕ_(I)) of the system is determined by ϕ_(I)≥E_(gI)+χ andϕ_(M)≥E_(gM)+χ for intra-bands. Equation (3) indicates the currentdensity by the avalanche electrons within a conductor exposed under highenergy γ-ray photons.

In a conductor that is moving perpendicular to an oriented magneticfield, as in the coils of the rotor in an electric generator, the freeelectrons within conductor move in a direction determined by {rightarrow over (F)}×{right arrow over (H)}, as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, n is the number of electrons available for freely moving inthe conductor, υ is the speed of electrons in the conductor, and q isthe charge of electron. The total current is the summation of nelectrons with the speed of υ times the charge of the electron. Thecurrent density within a moving ({right arrow over (F)}) conductormoving through the magnetic field ({right arrow over (H)}) is defined by{right arrow over (J)}={right arrow over (F)}×{right arrow over (H)}.Integrating the current density over the cross section area of conductoryields the current which is the same as Σnυq.

Referring to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, the conducting wires ofelectric generator are irradiated by high energy photons such as hardx-rays or γ-rays. Through the photon absorption processes describedabove, this exposure liberates far more free electrons than isordinarily available for conduction in the valence electrons. FIG. 4shows the motion of avalanche electrons within a moving conducting wirewhich runs across the perpendicular magnetic field. Designating theelectrons available from unfilled state of atom as n_(o) and theavalanche electrons liberated from the intra-bands of atom by highenergy photons as Σ₁ ^(N)n_(i) where n_(i) is the number of electronsfrom intra-bands, i=1, 2, 3, . . . N, then the total electrons availablefor conduction in a conducting wire is equal to n_(o)+Σ_(I) ^(N)n_(i).When a conducting wire under the influence of high energy photons cutsacross the perpendicularly oriented magnetic field, these avalancheelectrons, n_(o)+Σ₁ ^(N)n_(i), are affected by {right arrow over(F)}×{right arrow over (H)} and run through the conductor as an electriccurrent. As a result, the power enhancement can be estimated by theratio of Σ₁ ^(N)n_(i)/n_(o) for the same number of rotor coils and rotorrotation rate.

As a result, for the same number of coils of conductors in the rotor andthe same rotation rate of the rotor, the electrical power output by theelectric generator of various embodiments may be boosted over the powerof a conventional electric generator by the ratio of Σ₁ ^(N)n_(i)/n_(o).This increase in electrical power output of the electric generator ofvarious embodiments will require a commensurate increase in themechanical force applied to turn the rotor at the same rotation rate.Alternatively, the same amount of electrical power as output by aconventional electric generator may be produced by an electric generatorof various embodiments with a rotation rate that is slower by a factorof about n_(o)/Σ₁ ^(N)n_(i). As further alternative, the same amount ofelectrical power as output by a conventional electric generator may beproduced by an electric generator of various embodiments with the samerotation rate but with a rotor having approximately n_(o)/Σ₁ ^(N)n_(i)fewer (i.e., smaller and lighter) conductors.

A notional design of an electric generator 500 is illustrated in FIG. 5.In this illustration, a magnetic field is generated by via fieldwindings 502 on the pole pieces 504, which are held in place by a statoryoke 506. The rotor or armature 508 includes armature conductors 510oriented perpendicular to the magnetic field emanating from the poles504. Brushes 512 contacting a commutator 514 on the armature 508 orrotor pick up electric current generated in the armature conductors 510.A terminal box 516 receives current from the armature conductors anddirects a portion of the current through the field windings 502.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first embodiment of an electric generator 600 thatincludes a high energy photon source 602 within the armature core 604inside of the armature windings 510. The armature core 604 may besupported on a rotor shaft 606. Gamma radiation from the high energyphoton source 602 irradiates the armature windings 510 that arepositioned in close proximity Photons not absorbed in the armaturewindings may be absorbed in windings on the poles 504, includingcompensating windings 608 and field windings 502.

In some embodiments, the high energy photon source 602 may be astructure that includes or contains a radionuclide such as cobalt-60(⁶⁰Co) or cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) atoms. ⁶⁰Co has a half-life ofapproximately 5.3 years and decays to ⁶⁰Ni by beta decay, which promptlyemits two gamma rays, one of 1.17 MeV and the other of 1.33 MeV. ¹³⁷Cshas a half-life of just over 30 years and decays to barium 137 by betadecay followed by emission of 662 keV gamma ray. The radionuclide may bein the form of a metal, powder, salt, or other chemical composition. Asexplained more fully below with reference to FIG. 8, the radioactivematerial may be contained within a can or cladding to prevent release ofthe radionuclides.

As explained above, absorption of the high energy photons in theconducting wire coils of the armature windings 606 liberates anavalanche of intra-band electrons. When the conducting wires move acrossthe magnetic field emanating from the poles, these large number ofelectrons, n_(o)+Σ₁ ^(N)n_(i), move collectively along the wires by theLorentz force ({right arrow over (F)}×{right arrow over (H)}). Theresulting electric current calculated in Eq. (3) is multiplied manytimes over for the same armature/rotor rate of rotation due to the extrafree electrons due to the avalanche of ejected intra-band electrons.

Various embodiments provide two benefits over conventional electricgenerators. The first benefit appears in the armature coils wound aroundthe rotor/armature. When the armature coils are directly exposed to theγ-ray photons, the photons produce a huge number of mobile electronsavailable for current, greatly increasing the number of mobile electronsmoving through the applied magnetic field. The second benefit arisesfrom the coils on the poles, known as the field and compensatingwindings. The field and compensating windings are irradiated by theγ-ray photons that are not absorbed by the armature windings. Absorptionof those γ-ray photons increases the quantity of mobile electrons in thefield and compensating windings, thereby increasing magnetic inductionin those coils as well. When the field strength ({right arrow over (H)})is increased by magnetic induction in the field and compensatingwindings, the current density in the armature windings is also increasedby {right arrow over (F)}×{right arrow over (H)}.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the high energy photon source602 is positioned inside of the magnetic circuit between the armaturewindings 510 and the poles 504 and field windings 502 and compensatingwindings 608. Consequently, the effect of the radionuclide and canningmaterials on the magnetic fields may be minimal However, in someembodiments, the radionuclide and/or canning materials may be selectedto so as to enhance the magnetic circuit between the armature windings510 and the poles 504 and field windings 502 and compensating windings608, such as by providing a ferromagnetic backplane to the armaturewindings 510.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of an electric generator 700 thatincludes a high energy photon source 702 positioned between the armature604 and the poles 504. Gamma radiation from the high energy photonsource 702 irradiates the armature windings 510 and the windings on thepoles, including the field and compensating windings 608 and fieldwindings 502. Thus, the γ-ray photons from the high energy photon source702 can liberate an abundant number of electrons in the armaturewindings 510, the compensating windings 608 and the field windings 502due to the avalanche of electrons produce by the absorption of the γ-rayphotons in conductor atoms. The eventual increase in electric poweroutput from the electric generators comes from the increase in currentdensity in the conducting coils of rotor and stator.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the high energy photon source702 is positioned in the middle of the magnetic circuit between thearmature windings 606 and the poles 504, and the field windings 502 andcompensating windings 608. Consequently, the radionuclide and canningmaterials may have an effect on the magnetic fields that drive currentthrough the armature windings. Therefore, in such embodiments, theradionuclide and/or canning materials may be selected to have minimaleffect on the magnetic circuit between the armature windings 510 and thepoles 504, and the field windings 502 and compensating windings 608. Forexample, the radionuclide may be an oxide or salt such as CoO, Co₃O₄,CoF₃, CoS₂, Co₂S₃, CoCl₂, CoBr₂, or CoI₂. Similarly, the cladding usedto contain the radionuclide may be a nonferrous material. Further, thethickness of the high energy photon source 702 may be minimized toreduce the gap between the armature windings 510 and the poles 504 andthe field windings 502 and compensating windings 608.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a high energy photon source 800 that maybe included in an electric generator according either of the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the high energy photonsource 800 is configured as a sleeve structure containing the γ-raysource that can slide into the rotor/armature below the rotor coils asillustrated in FIG. 6 or in the gap between the armature windings 510and the poles 504 and the field windings 502 and compensating windings608 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In order to minimize the potential for release of radioactive materials,as well as to facilitate assembly of the electric generator, the highenergy photon source 800 structure may enclose the radionuclide (e.g.,⁶⁰Co or ¹³⁷Cs) within a cladding or can. Such cladding or can may metalfoil or thin plate, such as titanium, aluminum, steel, stainless steel,etc. As noted above, the metal or metal alloy used as a cladding or canstructure may be selected for its magnetic properties depending uponwhether the high energy photon source 800 is positioned within therotor/armature below the rotor coils as illustrated in FIG. 6 or in thegap between the armature windings 510 and the poles 504 and the fieldwindings 502 and compensating windings 608 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an image showing the high energy photon source 800 of theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 positioned within (e.g., attached to)the inside wall of stator coil winding 902. The hollow space 904 insidethe stator coil winding 902 is the space where the rotor/armature ispositioned and rotates in an axial symmetry with stator.

While electric generators of various embodiments have been describedwith reference to notional diagrams of generic electric generatorsincluding a stator having poles, pole windings and field andcompensating windings, the various embodiments encompass otherconfigurations of electric generators. For example, the statorconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 9 does not show physical poles as inthe diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. In some embodiments, the electricgenerator includes fixed permanent magnets in the stator instead offield windings. In some embodiments, the electric generator includesfixed magnets or electromagnets in the rotor and the current generatingconductors remain fixed in the stator so that electric current isgenerated by the magnetic field moving through the conductors as therotor is rotated. In such embodiments, the high energy photon source maybe encompassed anywhere within the current generating conductors of thestator, including on an outside surface. The common feature of variousembodiments is the structure of a high energy photon source (e.g., aγ-ray source) configured and positioned within an electric generator soas to irradiate the current generating conductors of the rotor/armatureand/or the stator.

Various embodiments include an electric generator having a stator and arotor, means for generating electric current (e.g., armature windings606 or stator windings in combination with magnetic field emanating fromthe rotor) when the rotor is rotated within the stator; and a means forirradiating the means for generating current with high energy photons,such as high energy γ-ray photons, as described herein.

Some embodiments include a method of making an electric generator thatincludes positioning a source of high energy photons (e.g., a γ-raysource) within the electric generator so as to irradiate currentgenerating conductors (e.g., armature windings 606) as described herein.

Various embodiments provide a number of advantages over conventionalelectric generators. In various embodiments, high energy γ-ray photonsemitted from cobalt-60, cesium-137 or another γ-ray source are used toliberate a large number of electrons from the intra-bands of atoms ofarmature (rotor) winding coils and field/compensating winding coilsaround the electro-magnet (stator). Various embodiments combine thebenefits of avalanche electrons in armature winding coils andfield/compensating winding coils, respectively, to enhance the poweroutput of an electric generator running at the same rotation speedanywhere from several times to orders of magnitude as compared toconventional electric generators. Various embodiments require a slightmodification to the current form of design for electric generators, suchas installing a sleeve of a γ-ray radiation source material within thearmature coils or within the gap between the rotor/armature and thestator coils or poles of the stator.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended tobe limited to the aspects and/or embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and theprinciples and novel features disclosed herein.

All cited patents, patent applications, and other references areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, if a termin the present application contradicts or conflicts with a term in theincorporated reference, the term from the present application takesprecedence over the conflicting term from the incorporated reference.

All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and theendpoints are independently combinable with each other. Each rangedisclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or sub-rangelying within the disclosed range.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.As also used herein, the term “combinations thereof” includescombinations having at least one of the associated listed items, whereinthe combination can further include additional, like non-listed items.Further, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denoteany order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguishone element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with aquantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictatedby the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity).

Reference throughout the specification to “another embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and so forth, means that aparticular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic)described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment described herein, and can or cannot be present in otherembodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the describedelements can be combined in any suitable manner in the variousembodiments and are not limited to the specific combination in whichthey are discussed.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric generator, comprising: a stator and arotor positioned within the stator, wherein the stator and rotor areconfigured to generate electric current when the rotor is rotated; and ahigh energy photon source positioned and configured to irradiate atleast a portion of conductors in the rotor or stator.
 2. The electricgenerator of claim 1, wherein: the stator generates a magnetic fieldwhen the electric generator is operating; and the rotor comprisesarmature windings configured to generate electric current when the rotoris rotated.
 3. The electric generator of claim 2, wherein the highenergy photon source is positioned within the rotor and configured toirradiate at least the armature windings.
 4. The electric generator ofclaim 3, wherein the high energy photon source is configured as a sleevethat fits within the rotor inside of the armature windings.
 5. Theelectric generator of claim 2, wherein the high energy photon source ispositioned between the rotor and the stator and configured to irradiatethe armature windings.
 6. The electric generator of claim 5, wherein thehigh energy photon source is configured as a sleeve that fits betweenthe rotor and the stator.
 7. The electric generator of claim 2, wherein:the stator comprises field and compensating windings; and the highenergy photon source is positioned and configured to irradiate the fieldand compensating windings.
 8. The electric generator of claim 1, whereinthe high energy photon source comprises cobalt-60.
 9. The electricgenerator of claim 1, wherein the high energy photon source comprisescesium-137.
 10. A method of manufacturing an electric generator having arotor and a stator, comprising: positioning a source of high energyphotons within the electric generator so as to irradiate currentgenerating conductors in one or both of the rotor or the stator.
 11. Themethod of manufacturing an electric generator of claim 10, whereinpositioning the source of high energy photons within the electricgenerator comprises positioning the source of high energy photon withinthe rotor so as to irradiate at least armature windings within therotor.
 12. The method of manufacturing an electric generator of claim10, wherein positioning the source of high energy photons within theelectric generator comprises positioning the source of high energyphoton between the rotor and the stator.